Comments on: Cleaning and organization quirks http://unclutterer.com/2007/11/15/cleaning-and-organization-quirks/ Daily tips on how to organize your home and office. Sat, 21 Nov 2009 05:43:54 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.6 hourly 1 By: Dianne http://unclutterer.com/2007/11/15/cleaning-and-organization-quirks/comment-page-2/#comment-45812 Dianne Tue, 17 Nov 2009 02:50:27 +0000 http://unclutterer.com/2007/11/15/cleaning-and-organization-quirks/#comment-45812 My ex husband had drug and alcohol issues when he would disappear I would madly clean the house, washing walls eyc doing as much physical work as I could, unfortunately after we went our seperate ways, every time I would get into some serious cleaning I would become stressed and the old feelings which I was trying to erase by doing chores would return, so although the cleaning helped when I was under stress from the drug issues, I had to retrain myself not to become stressed when cleaning as a normal task. My ex husband had drug and alcohol issues when he would disappear I would madly clean the house, washing walls eyc doing as much physical work as I could, unfortunately after we went our seperate ways, every time I would get into some serious cleaning I would become stressed and the old feelings which I was trying to erase by doing chores would return, so although the cleaning helped when I was under stress from the drug issues, I had to retrain myself not to become stressed when cleaning as a normal task.

]]> By: Laetitia in Australia http://unclutterer.com/2007/11/15/cleaning-and-organization-quirks/comment-page-2/#comment-45750 Laetitia in Australia Mon, 16 Nov 2009 02:52:49 +0000 http://unclutterer.com/2007/11/15/cleaning-and-organization-quirks/#comment-45750 My mum always cleaned right before a holiday (vacation for North Americans). I think it was as much to do with discouraging cockroaches. I picked up her habits a bit but if it's only a weekend away I just make sure the dishes are done and what's left in the laundry won't die before I get back (when it will be washed with the "away" clothes anyway). I like my workspace to be tidy to encourage me to do some work, like Aimee said, without pushing away other stuff to have room to do it! One of my sisters used to madly clean and tidy her room at exam time. My mum always cleaned right before a holiday (vacation for North Americans). I think it was as much to do with discouraging cockroaches.

I picked up her habits a bit but if it’s only a weekend away I just make sure the dishes are done and what’s left in the laundry won’t die before I get back (when it will be washed with the “away” clothes anyway).

I like my workspace to be tidy to encourage me to do some work, like Aimee said, without pushing away other stuff to have room to do it!

One of my sisters used to madly clean and tidy her room at exam time.

]]> By: Thomasina http://unclutterer.com/2007/11/15/cleaning-and-organization-quirks/comment-page-2/#comment-24541 Thomasina Wed, 03 Dec 2008 15:43:38 +0000 http://unclutterer.com/2007/11/15/cleaning-and-organization-quirks/#comment-24541 My mother always *had* to do all the laundry the day before it snows. My mother always *had* to do all the laundry the day before it snows.

]]> By: Trish Fitzpatrick http://unclutterer.com/2007/11/15/cleaning-and-organization-quirks/comment-page-2/#comment-24027 Trish Fitzpatrick Sun, 23 Nov 2008 16:22:35 +0000 http://unclutterer.com/2007/11/15/cleaning-and-organization-quirks/#comment-24027 Great contributions here! I'm learning a great deal. One note I wanted to add is how well working backwards is to creating serentiy. At the start of my day I imagine what the nicest ending would be. Then I set about making that happen. A clean, orderly home that smells of baking and logs burning in the fireplace; a bathroom that sparkles, a comfy bed with crisply clean linens... no matter what I'm going to accomplish that day, I want the "finish line" to look like that. It makes the day's work more worthwhile. Great contributions here! I’m learning a great deal. One note I wanted to add is how well working backwards is to creating serentiy. At the start of my day I imagine what the nicest ending would be. Then I set about making that happen. A clean, orderly home that smells of baking and logs burning in the fireplace; a bathroom that sparkles, a comfy bed with crisply clean linens… no matter what I’m going to accomplish that day, I want the “finish line” to look like that. It makes the day’s work more worthwhile.

]]> By: Minna http://unclutterer.com/2007/11/15/cleaning-and-organization-quirks/comment-page-2/#comment-23833 Minna Tue, 18 Nov 2008 08:19:49 +0000 http://unclutterer.com/2007/11/15/cleaning-and-organization-quirks/#comment-23833 I am a school teacher. Many of the things that have been said above are also same with me. Like when I should check the students papers I start to clean and declutter the house and so on. One thing is that after the school year is over I have to pack all the school material away. I can only start the vacation when nothing reminds me of school. I am a school teacher. Many of the things that have been said above are also same with me. Like when I should check the students papers I start to clean and declutter the house and so on. One thing is that after the school year is over I have to pack all the school material away. I can only start the vacation when nothing reminds me of school.

]]> By: Rue http://unclutterer.com/2007/11/15/cleaning-and-organization-quirks/comment-page-2/#comment-23787 Rue Mon, 17 Nov 2008 14:27:35 +0000 http://unclutterer.com/2007/11/15/cleaning-and-organization-quirks/#comment-23787 I don't deep clean when I'm stressed. But I do pick everything up and make sure it's in its place. I do this mostly at night, right before I go to bed. I like everything to be in its place at night so that I can go to bed and actually rest. Then, when I wake up, everything's still clean, and it will be that way when I come home too! I do pick everything up before a vacation, but as I rarely take vacations more than a couple of days, I don't really dust, vaccuum, etc. Now when I leave for two weeks for Christmas, I probably will! The one weird quirk I have is that, excluding the weekends, I only make the bed right before bedtime. I can't stand having my sheets and blankets askew - it inevitably ends up with me tangled up in them in the middle of the night, freezing my butt off! There have been times when I've pushed my husband out of the bed just so I could fix it (well, unless he was actually asleep - then it's all over). I don’t deep clean when I’m stressed. But I do pick everything up and make sure it’s in its place. I do this mostly at night, right before I go to bed. I like everything to be in its place at night so that I can go to bed and actually rest. Then, when I wake up, everything’s still clean, and it will be that way when I come home too!

I do pick everything up before a vacation, but as I rarely take vacations more than a couple of days, I don’t really dust, vaccuum, etc. Now when I leave for two weeks for Christmas, I probably will!

The one weird quirk I have is that, excluding the weekends, I only make the bed right before bedtime. I can’t stand having my sheets and blankets askew – it inevitably ends up with me tangled up in them in the middle of the night, freezing my butt off! There have been times when I’ve pushed my husband out of the bed just so I could fix it (well, unless he was actually asleep – then it’s all over).

]]> By: Linda http://unclutterer.com/2007/11/15/cleaning-and-organization-quirks/comment-page-2/#comment-23780 Linda Mon, 17 Nov 2008 04:55:28 +0000 http://unclutterer.com/2007/11/15/cleaning-and-organization-quirks/#comment-23780 I clean when I'm ticked off about something. Today, I channelled all that negative energy into entering 10 months of financial data into Quicken. It is something I should do weekly, but I'm quite the procrastinator. I had enough raw emotionality today to breeze through the whole ordeal in about 100 minutes. I clean when I’m ticked off about something. Today, I channelled all that negative energy into entering 10 months of financial data into Quicken. It is something I should do weekly, but I’m quite the procrastinator. I had enough raw emotionality today to breeze through the whole ordeal in about 100 minutes.

]]> By: Dream Mom DBA www.dreamorganizers.com http://unclutterer.com/2007/11/15/cleaning-and-organization-quirks/comment-page-2/#comment-23768 Dream Mom DBA www.dreamorganizers.com Sun, 16 Nov 2008 20:46:36 +0000 http://unclutterer.com/2007/11/15/cleaning-and-organization-quirks/#comment-23768 I clean when my son goes into the hospital. The house is always pretty clean but when he's in there for a week or more, I get to come home on Sunday and sleep in my own bed (I stay overnight at the hospital the rest of the week.). I always change my sheets so that whenever I come home, it's fresh and I make certain his are changed to so it's nice when he gets home. When he is in there for longer stays, I go a bit further, scrubbing the floors and making certain it's pristine. I do it to make sure it's nice when he comes home. It's also a huge stress reliever, especially when he's not doing well. Having routines in place relieve a ton of stress. When I worked full time, I always changed the sheets on my bed before I left on a business trip so I oould enjoy them when I returned home. One other quirk is that I won't go to bed unless everything in the living room is perfect-the sofa pillows must be just right, etc. I'd hate to have a fire in the middle of the night or some emergency and have something out of place. I've actually had to call 911 quite a few times with my son's medical issues so I always feel really good when the paramedics come and my home is sparkling. I clean when my son goes into the hospital. The house is always pretty clean but when he’s in there for a week or more, I get to come home on Sunday and sleep in my own bed (I stay overnight at the hospital the rest of the week.). I always change my sheets so that whenever I come home, it’s fresh and I make certain his are changed to so it’s nice when he gets home. When he is in there for longer stays, I go a bit further, scrubbing the floors and making certain it’s pristine. I do it to make sure it’s nice when he comes home. It’s also a huge stress reliever, especially when he’s not doing well. Having routines in place relieve a ton of stress.

When I worked full time, I always changed the sheets on my bed before I left on a business trip so I oould enjoy them when I returned home.

One other quirk is that I won’t go to bed unless everything in the living room is perfect-the sofa pillows must be just right, etc. I’d hate to have a fire in the middle of the night or some emergency and have something out of place. I’ve actually had to call 911 quite a few times with my son’s medical issues so I always feel really good when the paramedics come and my home is sparkling.

]]> By: Meg from FruWiki http://unclutterer.com/2007/11/15/cleaning-and-organization-quirks/comment-page-2/#comment-23764 Meg from FruWiki Sun, 16 Nov 2008 18:41:36 +0000 http://unclutterer.com/2007/11/15/cleaning-and-organization-quirks/#comment-23764 Whenever my husband leaves on a trip without me (like today), one of the first things I do is start cleaning. Partly, it's to get my mind off missing him. But also, while he's not the clutterbug he used to be, it's nice to be able to get everything clean and enjoy it staying that way for a while ; ) I've also tended to clean a lot before company comes or when I have something else that I should be doing and I'm procrastinating (like when I should have be studying for an exam back in college). Whenever my husband leaves on a trip without me (like today), one of the first things I do is start cleaning. Partly, it’s to get my mind off missing him. But also, while he’s not the clutterbug he used to be, it’s nice to be able to get everything clean and enjoy it staying that way for a while ; )

I’ve also tended to clean a lot before company comes or when I have something else that I should be doing and I’m procrastinating (like when I should have be studying for an exam back in college).

]]> By: Liss http://unclutterer.com/2007/11/15/cleaning-and-organization-quirks/comment-page-2/#comment-23761 Liss Sun, 16 Nov 2008 17:18:52 +0000 http://unclutterer.com/2007/11/15/cleaning-and-organization-quirks/#comment-23761 Two weeks before finals week you'd find me deep cleaning all parts of the apartment that were my responsibility, doing every last bit of laundry and cooking up a storm to put in the freezer. If I didn't do that, I'd find that there was almost a magnetic pull to do cleaning/organizing or cooking instead of study the week before finals. It helped that a lot of the dorms or apartments that I lived in had cleaning checks around the end of semester as people would move in and out (not just in the spring) so we all had to get stuff clean anyway. Plus, then after I took finals I could go let off steam however I wanted--my apartment check cleaning was done and I didn't have to do any "catch up" to eat or for clothes. I thought I was the odd duck for doing this, guess I have some good company! Two weeks before finals week you’d find me deep cleaning all parts of the apartment that were my responsibility, doing every last bit of laundry and cooking up a storm to put in the freezer. If I didn’t do that, I’d find that there was almost a magnetic pull to do cleaning/organizing or cooking instead of study the week before finals.
It helped that a lot of the dorms or apartments that I lived in had cleaning checks around the end of semester as people would move in and out (not just in the spring) so we all had to get stuff clean anyway. Plus, then after I took finals I could go let off steam however I wanted–my apartment check cleaning was done and I didn’t have to do any “catch up” to eat or for clothes. I thought I was the odd duck for doing this, guess I have some good company!

]]> By: Jane http://unclutterer.com/2007/11/15/cleaning-and-organization-quirks/comment-page-2/#comment-12743 Jane Thu, 15 May 2008 00:15:58 +0000 http://unclutterer.com/2007/11/15/cleaning-and-organization-quirks/#comment-12743 I've done everything, for all the same reasons, as all these posts! I clean before vacations and company (especially family), and I clean up piles AFTER vacation with a more 'neutral mind,' as one poster wrote. Pay bills before vacation, too, and take any with me that when I take longer vacations. But I want to add one more item to the mix, especially after reading Kathy's post on 1/01/08: some of us are probably ADHD/ADD (Attention Deficit Disorder!) Apparently people with this dis-ease go from huge distractability (15 tasks started in 5 rooms plus the garden, all at once), to intense hyper-focusivity (new word?) - such as the 2-1/2 hours on the net last week researching the benefits of the gamma-tocopherol type of vitamin E vs. the more studied/accented alpha-tocopherol and how sesame seeds/oil/tahini help your body retain both or all 8 types of Vitamin E ... I couldn't let it go! I just kept clicking and trying to read the new articles as fast as possible ... knowing I was avoiding my #1 project, working on a legal document. I'll be finding out more about ADHD (adult version of ADD), as I WANT to work on my priority stuff more than have a sparkling home or encyclopedic mind. (My therapist lent me the book "Scattered" - whoa! - every page I flipped to described me in some measure.) Good luck to all. I’ve done everything, for all the same reasons, as all these posts! I clean before vacations and company (especially family), and I clean up piles AFTER vacation with a more ‘neutral mind,’ as one poster wrote. Pay bills before vacation, too, and take any with me that when I take longer vacations.

But I want to add one more item to the mix, especially after reading Kathy’s post on 1/01/08: some of us are probably ADHD/ADD (Attention Deficit Disorder!) Apparently people with this dis-ease go from huge distractability (15 tasks started in 5 rooms plus the garden, all at once), to intense hyper-focusivity (new word?) – such as the 2-1/2 hours on the net last week researching the benefits of the gamma-tocopherol type of vitamin E vs. the more studied/accented alpha-tocopherol and how sesame seeds/oil/tahini help your body retain both or all 8 types of Vitamin E … I couldn’t let it go! I just kept clicking and trying to read the new articles as fast as possible … knowing I was avoiding my #1 project, working on a legal document.

I’ll be finding out more about ADHD (adult version of ADD), as I WANT to work on my priority stuff more than have a sparkling home or encyclopedic mind. (My therapist lent me the book “Scattered” – whoa! – every page I flipped to described me in some measure.)

Good luck to all.

]]> By: Josephine http://unclutterer.com/2007/11/15/cleaning-and-organization-quirks/comment-page-2/#comment-7282 Josephine Sun, 27 Jan 2008 22:00:14 +0000 http://unclutterer.com/2007/11/15/cleaning-and-organization-quirks/#comment-7282 I notice that I organize when I'm avoiding another task. I've come to realize that for me organizing is a way of (symbolically) restoring order. On another note, although I always pay my bills on a timely basis, I always make sure they are all paid prior to any vacation, whether a weekend getaway or a longer one. I notice that I organize when I’m avoiding another task. I’ve come to realize that for me organizing is a way of (symbolically) restoring order. On another note, although I always pay my bills on a timely basis, I always make sure they are all paid prior to any vacation, whether a weekend getaway or a longer one.

]]> By: h... http://unclutterer.com/2007/11/15/cleaning-and-organization-quirks/comment-page-1/#comment-6848 h... Tue, 15 Jan 2008 21:01:28 +0000 http://unclutterer.com/2007/11/15/cleaning-and-organization-quirks/#comment-6848 i dont clean but pick up after messes before i go on vacation trip. when I get upset, i do nothing! i dont clean but pick up after messes before i go on vacation trip. when I get upset, i do nothing!

]]> By: Kathy http://unclutterer.com/2007/11/15/cleaning-and-organization-quirks/comment-page-1/#comment-6466 Kathy Tue, 01 Jan 2008 13:04:45 +0000 http://unclutterer.com/2007/11/15/cleaning-and-organization-quirks/#comment-6466 I clean before any vacation also. I cannot leave the house a mess. Coming home to a clean, clutter-free home is one of the best feelings in the world. Cleaning is a top priority for me as well as being extremely organized. It drives my family crazy. I have to have everything organized in what you can see as well as what you can't - closets, drawers, cabinets, etc. When things aren't organized I can't think straight, I forget things, I am totally distracted. I also get a little depressed. Right now, I had to put my father in a nursing home and clean out his small apartment. I brought some things home like books, papers, mementos, etc. and they are in bags in the basement. I am in the process of spring cleaning the house so everything is up side down and I am an anxious mess! I spend alot of time with him in the nursing home as well as taking care of my two girls and working, so I don't have the time to dig in and clean up. I am a forgetful mess. I wish I wasn't so dependent on being organized to keep my head straight. I wish I could be like the people who can leave a paper mess on the floor for three days and not be affected by it. Oh well, there is a reason for everything. I do know it will get cleaned up soon and that is the saving grace. I clean before any vacation also. I cannot leave the house a mess. Coming home to a clean, clutter-free home is one of the best feelings in the world. Cleaning is a top priority for me as well as being extremely organized. It drives my family crazy. I have to have everything organized in what you can see as well as what you can’t – closets, drawers, cabinets, etc. When things aren’t organized I can’t think straight, I forget things, I am totally distracted. I also get a little depressed. Right now, I had to put my father in a nursing home and clean out his small apartment. I brought some things home like books, papers, mementos, etc. and they are in bags in the basement. I am in the process of spring cleaning the house so everything is up side down and I am an anxious mess! I spend alot of time with him in the nursing home as well as taking care of my two girls and working, so I don’t have the time to dig in and clean up. I am a forgetful mess. I wish I wasn’t so dependent on being organized to keep my head straight. I wish I could be like the people who can leave a paper mess on the floor for three days and not be affected by it. Oh well, there is a reason for everything. I do know it will get cleaned up soon and that is the saving grace.

]]> By: Kim http://unclutterer.com/2007/11/15/cleaning-and-organization-quirks/comment-page-1/#comment-5570 Kim Wed, 28 Nov 2007 05:44:34 +0000 http://unclutterer.com/2007/11/15/cleaning-and-organization-quirks/#comment-5570 I clean and organize like a crazywoman when my children or husband are in bed sick...after putting on a pot of chicken soup it all begins..... My husband started the clean the house before vacation thing, and I've followed along. It's a gift to come home to a clean house, unload suitcases directly to the washer. I clean and organize like a crazywoman when my children or husband are in bed sick…after putting on a pot of chicken soup it all begins…..
My husband started the clean the house before vacation thing, and I’ve followed along. It’s a gift to come home to a clean house, unload suitcases directly to the washer.

]]> By: Kim http://unclutterer.com/2007/11/15/cleaning-and-organization-quirks/comment-page-1/#comment-5569 Kim Wed, 28 Nov 2007 05:44:03 +0000 http://unclutterer.com/2007/11/15/cleaning-and-organization-quirks/#comment-5569 I clean and organize like a woman when my children or husband are in bed sick...after putting on a pot of chicken soup it all begins..... My husband started the clean the house before vacation thing, and I've followed along. It's a gift to come home to a clean house, unload suitcases directly to the washer. I clean and organize like a woman when my children or husband are in bed sick…after putting on a pot of chicken soup it all begins…..
My husband started the clean the house before vacation thing, and I’ve followed along. It’s a gift to come home to a clean house, unload suitcases directly to the washer.

]]> By: Michele http://unclutterer.com/2007/11/15/cleaning-and-organization-quirks/comment-page-1/#comment-5470 Michele Sat, 24 Nov 2007 17:35:31 +0000 http://unclutterer.com/2007/11/15/cleaning-and-organization-quirks/#comment-5470 I can relate. My motto is "Clear your path to reach your goals." When I get stuck, I unclutter to get unstuck. I can relate. My motto is “Clear your path to reach your goals.” When I get stuck, I unclutter to get unstuck.

]]> By: Melanie http://unclutterer.com/2007/11/15/cleaning-and-organization-quirks/comment-page-1/#comment-5389 Melanie Tue, 20 Nov 2007 15:26:10 +0000 http://unclutterer.com/2007/11/15/cleaning-and-organization-quirks/#comment-5389 I clean before going on vacation, but for a very different reason than others have stated (coming home to a nice, peaceful home after a tiring vacation). I clean because I have terrors about something awful happening while I'm on vacation (like, say, mysteriously disappearing from my cruise ship???) and having people come into my house and see all the mess after I'm dead and gone! This is also my motivation for keeping my house spotless during the last trimester of pregnancy (never know when you'll have to rush to the hospital!). I guess I should just get over it and make arrangements for any emergency situation. I'll give all family members an emergency checklist. #1 - call 911, #2 - call Merry Maids immediately thereafter! I clean before going on vacation, but for a very different reason than others have stated (coming home to a nice, peaceful home after a tiring vacation). I clean because I have terrors about something awful happening while I’m on vacation (like, say, mysteriously disappearing from my cruise ship???) and having people come into my house and see all the mess after I’m dead and gone!

This is also my motivation for keeping my house spotless during the last trimester of pregnancy (never know when you’ll have to rush to the hospital!). I guess I should just get over it and make arrangements for any emergency situation. I’ll give all family members an emergency checklist. #1 – call 911, #2 – call Merry Maids immediately thereafter!

]]> By: Alex Shalman . com » Blog Archive » Sunday's Speedlinking 11-18-07 http://unclutterer.com/2007/11/15/cleaning-and-organization-quirks/comment-page-1/#comment-5331 Alex Shalman . com » Blog Archive » Sunday's Speedlinking 11-18-07 Sun, 18 Nov 2007 14:04:17 +0000 http://unclutterer.com/2007/11/15/cleaning-and-organization-quirks/#comment-5331 [...] Doland of Unclutterer tells us about his little cleaning and organizing quirks. He’s also made me realize why my room is always a bit cleaner around midterms and finals. [...] [...] Doland of Unclutterer tells us about his little cleaning and organizing quirks. He’s also made me realize why my room is always a bit cleaner around midterms and finals. [...]

]]> By: Alex Shalman . com » Blog Archive http://unclutterer.com/2007/11/15/cleaning-and-organization-quirks/comment-page-1/#comment-5330 Alex Shalman . com » Blog Archive Sun, 18 Nov 2007 10:01:23 +0000 http://unclutterer.com/2007/11/15/cleaning-and-organization-quirks/#comment-5330 [...] Doland of Unclutterer tells us about his little cleaning and organizing quirks. He’s also made me realize why my room is always a bit cleaner around midterms and finals. [...] [...] Doland of Unclutterer tells us about his little cleaning and organizing quirks. He’s also made me realize why my room is always a bit cleaner around midterms and finals. [...]

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